You can Moan or You can Join Undi Malaysia

Well, like I said a while back, I’m marginally involved in a new voters’ education initiative, UndiMalaysia. It’s so interesting that anyone slightly interested in local politics (being interested would include doing things like moaning periodically about the way our country is headed), should sit up and take notice.

Image taken from http://paraphrase-everything.blogspot.com/2011/06/undimalaysia.html

Stolen from Zain HD’s facebook page, this is one of UndiMalaysia’s meetings, the only one I’ve been to so far. Am I the only one who has stopped reading local newspapers? They seem to be either filled with things I don’t really want to know about, or politicians making logically unsound arguments, and I don’t like working up my sense of indignation with my morning tea.

Face No. 1 of UndiMalaysia.

Local politicians, whichever side of the spectrum, are getting increasingly tiring (or perhaps they always were), with bile and lots of rubbish from both sides given center stage, and policy issues taking the back stage, while people like me can only wring their hands and tweet/blog/moan about the sillies engulfing politics. Do you know what Barisan Nasional, or Pakatan Rakyat, really represent? The policies they advocate? Their manifesto? Even when typing this, I don’t. Instead of the clear-cut Conservatives-versus-Liberal parties abroad, the urban perception seems to be that BN is the anachronistic party getting too complacent, that needs a firework lit beneath them to wake up, while PR is the ‘good’, ‘clean’ party that although imperfect, is a better choice for the country. Besides the fact that PR seems intent on increasing government subsidy and PAS wants an Islamic state, I don’t know anything about what either party represents (come to think of it, I don’t even know what an Islamic state is.)

Face No. 2

UndiMalaysia is an initiative started by a bunch of hopeful people who want a change in the political dialogue in this country. Instead of focusing on personalities or perceptions of the parties themselves, they argue that maybe we should really be scrutinising, evaluating, and criticising political parties based on policy issues. Instead of fixating about the sex lives of our politicians, maybe we should evaluate them based on their political performance, and instead of relying on perceptions alone to favour any party, maybe we should choose them based on the policies that they advocate.

The group of volunteers (many familiar faces from the MyConstitution campaign or the LoyarBurok site) have already sketched out a range of issues UndiMalaysia will be focusing on: the right to housing, the right to water, the right to healthcare, the right to education, the right to food, and freedom of expression; but this range of issues is quite fluid and malleable.

Face No. 3.

UndiMalaysia is still in its early, conceptualisation stage, with possibly a string of Youtube videos, designed pamphlets, and workshops, to come, but they’ve already kick-started several programmes like the Hulu Langat constituency project, and a Mock Election at Central Market (an interesting form of publicity for UndiMalaysia). I’ve spoken to people more central to this, and they both sound more than very interesting. And they’re having a launch-party too, if I’m not mistaken!

Now, to the whole point of this blog post: I know UndiMalaysia would appreciate people who can help out any way they can. Like I said, it’s still at the initial, conceptual stage of development, so any ideas would help (I’m about to suggest that they take the manifestos of both parties when election comes, and distill them down to a form that’s anywhere interesting. And to find out what both parties think about the Islamic state issue once and for all). It is beneath me to mention that you’ll be hob-nobbing with very cool people in the legal industry/very cool people from many industries, but I suppose a sniffly thing like contacts is a fringe benefit if you’re still not convinced. Or if you’re too shy to help out, you can make a mental note to look out for what they’re doing next. UndiMalaysia would probably also appreciate some publicity, so spread the word if you found it interesting!

I see the appeal in politics of personality and perception – it’s easy, and it’s sensational. It’s like watching a reality show. But it really shouldn’t form the basis of how we vote. My understanding of democracy and elections tells me that it’s about choosing policies that would affect your life, not choosing who you like most to represent you. Instead of a sense of futility about where this country is headed, this project gives you a chance to turn politics into a creature that’s more desirable. I support UndiMalaysia and its efforts in changing the tenor of our political dialogue! .

To get a better representation from those more in-the-know than I am, click your mouse here.

2 Responses to You can Moan or You can Join Undi Malaysia

Malaysians voters are generally quite naive, they are easily taken in by political slogans from LOOK EAST, Vision 2020. Bersih , cekap & amanah n now 1 Malaysia. slogans were started in 1981 n continues until today. where are the concrete policies that drives our nation to a first world economy? a first class nation? instead our nation is riddled with rampant corruption, poor financial management of the economy., bad governance , where self interests override national interests. look at the poorly conceived 2 LRT lines, the monorail line. is there integration ? privitization becomes a plundering scheme ala TNB -IPP agreement where IPP can produce unlimited power when TNB does not want so much power. TNB must pay for what IPP produce, – like giving a blank cheque to IPP. look at the famous MAS scandal- the facts are all recorded. privatise MAS , then concessionaire run into losses n then sell back to the government for a big premium – sell at RM 8 per share when the market was trading at RM 3-63 per share, Young malaysians does not know the damage done to malaysia from 1981 to 2003 under the 4 th PM rule. now malaysians see the fruits of the wrong policies- PKFZ where billions were lost, how much losses can malaysia sustained < national debt is nwo RM 400 billion? so malaysians please put on your thinking cap n vote wisely in the coming 13 General elections. now or never as our nation is at a crossroad. the wrong turn will be very damaging to malaysia.

Yes it is very confusing when there are so many political opinions, personalities, issues and soon on.Our country as a comp;ex history and a short but eventful history.But to basics is the citizens right to vote for the person/party of his choice.The ballot paper should reflect the correct numbers of votes,but before this you must register to fulfill your basis right to participate in the election process.Which means clean electoral roles,no bribery of voters no undue influence,no threats etc.If your are strong of body and mind go to Bersih-2 on 9/7.If forany reason you cannot attend wear yellow on that day to show your support.